Covering the WestSide as it is today and Challenging everyone to become involve as we move into the future.

Monday, October 27, 2008

How could the Tragedy Happen to the Hudson Family?

I've been browsing the internet to find out all I could about the Jennifer Hudson tragedy. I've also been listening to the radio. One of the least surprising things is that in the aftermath of a tragedy, as a community, we don't want any discussions held.

What do I mean? Well a young lady called into WVON and gave a genuine list of concerns about why a mother would marry someone just out of prison? William Balfour is 26 and spent 7 years in jail. That means he was just 19 yrs-old when he went to prison. He spent his initial adult years locked away and now comes out and is expected by Julia Hudson to turn into her man and father to her child????

But even more disturbing to me is the press conference that Julia Hudson held. She says and I paraphrase that "if you have a beef with me, take it up with me". Is she responsible for bringing this tragedy home to her family???? Also note the "you all"? Sorry, but the reason for her lack of tears is that she knows something or the reason that her family was targeted! press conference video

One of the issues within some parts of the black community is that in order to truly resolve an issue, we must address the issue. We cannot continue to place things in the "we will worry about it later" category and not expect that things will happen in the meantime. And to all those who brought teddy bears and fake flowers to a memorial, instead of bringing those items to line a fence, get some brooms and shovels, lawnmovers and garbage cans and clean up our neighborhood and remove the overgrown weeds and brush that is the perfect cover for criminal activity.

The Hudson family home also looked in dired need of repair. Come on people, a BBQ grill in the front yard, overgrown weeds around the broken down chain link fence all around adds to the 'ghettoization" of a neighborhood! Was any of them using Jennifer's fame and ever increasing pocketbook to pretend to be something that they weren't?

Another interesting point is what I took from a Sun-Times story. Here the part that is really bothering me. "Jason Hudson had been living at the family home after being shot about two years ago during a home invasion at a suburban home, Buckner said. Jason Hudson was shot in the leg, and had been recovering." What is unclear is whether Jason was doing the home invasion or his home was invaded. But which ever is the case, Jason and Julia's activities will need to be investigated. Here's the Sun-Times story.

And lastly, there should be a huge outcry over any 7 yr-old who weighs in at 130 pounds! That in itself is child abuse!

From now on if the black community is to take something from from these horrific murders, let it be that we all dial 911 when we hear shots fired.

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Arlene Jones

EMAIL ME: WESTSIDE2DAY@YAHOO.COM

Arlene Jones' Biography

I was born in Chicago. I grew up in Cabrini Green. I attended Wells Sr High, the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle where I majored in Spanish and minored in Education. I have a diploma in Computer Programming.

I moved to Austin when I purchased a home here. I have two children.

I have been active in the community since moving here. I started with my blockclub. In the early 1990s, I worked with several people to try and form the North Austin Homeowners Association. I even went on patrol with a group of people who had a walkie talkie car patrol of the neighborhood.

As with most programs in the AA community, many factors led to the demise of those groups. Lack of support from elected officials was at the top of the list.

There were several people who had a group and we met out of DaVinci Manor. DaVinci Manor was at the corner of North Ave and Central where Walgreen now stands. Again there was very little interest in saving that building and our community lost a beautiful hall.

I have protested the state of the Central Ave bridge. I worked with Leola Spann and did many a smoke out including one in the 1500 block of North Lorel where drug paraphenalia layed on the ground. I have over the years here in Austin worked with the following groups at one point or another:
Northeast Austin Organization (Mary Volpe, Tom Hosea);
Northwest Austin Council;
Mad Dads;
Brotherhood of Black Men;
Westside Health Authority;
Nobel Neighbors;
Every Block A Village;
Beat 2532;
25th District Housing Committee;
WVON Volunteer;
African American Employees at the Merchandise Mart (AAEMM);
Lafollette Park Advisory Council;
Garfield Park Conservatory Advisory Council;
Westside Executive Advisory Council;
Austin Landmark Cultural Center;
Concerned Citizens of East Garfield Park

and so many others that it gets hard to remember.

Arlene Jones

QUOTE OF THE DAY

If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing. -- Malcolm X